Timeshift: How to Solve a Cryptic Crossword

BBC Four, 9pm

Crossword lovers and linguaphiles will find rich material in this cleverly constructed documentary. A renowned cruciverbalist has set the definitive crossword, including the main types of clue (the “container and contents”, the “double definition”, etc) and in-jokes about this show's talking heads: among them Martin Bell, whose father created the first Times crossword. They agonise over the clues while revealing the technicalities of the linguistic trickery involved. The insights into our language are fascinating and the experts' enthusiasm is infectious. “Presbyterians is an anagram of Britney Spears: now that is cause for rejoicing,” says one.

Alex Zane's Guest List

Sky Premiere, 7.30pm

The cinefile and Xfm DJ Alex Zane fronts an edgy new show that seesin which a weekly special guest opens up about the films that have inspired and provoked them and enriched their lives. The first guest is Anna Faris, star of Scary Movie.

Storyville: Prodigal Sons

BBC Four, 10pm

This latest Storyville falls on the gentle, compassionate side of shockumentary. Kimberly Reed is off to her 20th anniversary school reunion: only her classmates knew her as Paul, co-captain of the football team and all-round hero. She'll also be reunited with her adopted older brother, Marc, who grew up in Paul's shadow and suffers from aggressive mood swings after recent brain surgery. Their attempted rapprochement takes a surreal turn when Marc discovers that his birth grandparents were Orson Welles and Rita Hayworth.

Underbelly

FX, 10pm

Billed as Australia's Sopranos, this new crime drama is based on the gang wars that suffused Melbourne's underworld from the mid-1990s. There are undertones of compassion and humour alongside pacy action and a pumping soundtrack.

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